For many older folks, Melissa Gilbert brings back memories of cozy evenings in front of the TV. At the time, the child star was part of the beloved show “Little House on the Prairie.” Yet, her story didn’t just end there; she continued to shine in the entertainment world and beyond.
Throughout her career, Melissa Gilbert has evolved in a big way. From a young actress to a professional performer, director, and author, her life has been nothing short of a remarkable story.
That said, with fame usually comes money. So, exactly how much is Melissa Gilbert net worth?
This article is your window to Melissa Gilbert’s financial success. Today, you’ll learn more about her impressive wealth and how her career has evolved.
Melissa Gilbert: Personal Profile
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Melissa Gilbert started acting at quite a young age, growing up in a family of actors. She became famous for her role as Laura Ingalls, making her a beloved star nationwide.
Before getting to her financial standing today, let’s first take a look at some of her details:
- Full Name: Melissa Ellen Gilbert
- Date of Birth: May 8, 1964
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
- Education: N/A
- Profession: Actress, television director, voice actress, businesswoman, and author
- Parents: Biological parents (Kathy Wood and David Darlington), adopting parents (Paul Gilbert and Barbara Cowan)
- Siblings: Jonathan Gilbert and Sara Gilbert
- Spouse: Bo Brinkman (1988–1994), Bruce Boxleitner (1995–2011), and Timothy Busfield (m. 2013)
- Children: Seven Children, two biological (Dakota Brinkman and Michael Boxleitner) and five stepchildren (Sam, Lee, Samuel, Daisy, and Wilson)
- Net Worth: $500,000
- Current Residence: Sullivan County, New York
Melissa Gilbert: Net Worth
Despite her marvelous and awe-inspiring career, Melissa Gilbert’s estimated net worth is about $500,000. Compared to other co-stars from “Little House on the Prairie,” this figure isn’t as prominent as one might think.
Take Melissa Sue Anderson, the actress who played her sister on the show, as an example. Her net worth now stands at over $1.5 million. However, this reflects Melissa’s career, with all its ups and downs.
Most of Melissa’s earnings come from her early success on “Little House on the Prairie.” Over the years, she continued to earn money from television appearances, theater roles, and directing projects.
In addition to that, her books, including her memoir, have also added to her financial success. Take a look at some of Melissa Gilbert’s sources of income that contributed to her wealth:
1. Acting Career
Melissa Gilbert’s acting career started at a reasonably young age. Before she was ten, she had appeared in dozens of TV commercials, including one with Lorne Greene for a dog food brand.
For her role on “Little House on the Prairie,” she bested over 500 children cast for the part. Melissa began filming in 1974, almost one year after shooting the show’s pilot.
At the time, the show was a huge success that made Melissa a household name. It lasted almost ten years (nine seasons), earning her many award nominations and a loyal fan base.
Following that, Melissa continued to work in television and film. She appeared in many TV movies, such as “The Miracle Worker” and “Choices of the Heart.” Her versatility allowed her to portray different characters, from dramatic parts to lighter, comedic ones.
Throughout all these years, Melissa managed to stay active in the acting world. She appeared in reality TV shows like “Dancing With the Stars.” She also participated in various theatrical productions.
Such a marvelous career shows Melissa’s ability to remain relevant no matter how the entertainment industry changes. With her range of roles and immense popularity, her acting career has been essential to her financial success.
2. Writing
Melissa Gilbert isn’t just known for her acting skills; she’s also a talented writer. Throughout her life, she’s written a few books that gave her fans a closer look into her life and experiences.
Melissa’s most famous book is her autobiography, “Prairie Tale: A Memoir.” Published in 2009, this book documents Melissa’s battle with drug abuse and alcoholism. In it, she opens up about her challenges behind the scenes, away from the spotlight.
Melissa has also written a children’s book, “Daisy and Josephine.” This charming story about a little girl and her dog shows Melissa’s ability to connect with a younger audience. She’s written a cookbook showcasing another side of her talent.
Recently, in 2022, Melissa returned to writing with another memoir titled “Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered.” As a New York Times-bestselling author, Melissa must profit from publishing royalties.
3. Directing and Producing
Besides her acting career, Melissa Gilbert has also tried directing and producing a few motion pictures. In 1996, she directed an episode in the TV series “ABC Afterschool Specials.” She also directed the TV movie “Child Stars: Their Story” in 2000.
In addition to that, Melissa also produced a couple of TV movies and short films.
Melissa Gilbert: Financial Challenges
Despite her successful and multi-faceted career, Melissa has faced significant financial challenges at some point. One of the most famous issues she had was in 2013. At the time, she revealed that she owed the IRS $360,000 in back taxes.
Such a financial burden resulted from many factors, including living expenses, divorce settlement with former husband, and the fluctuating nature of her income.
On top of that, she has ongoing battles with illness, having to undergo a few surgeries to fix spinal issues. All this, along with hospital stay and treatment expenses, require a lot of money.
Final Thoughts
Although filled with hardships, Melissa Gilbert’s career is impressive. From her days as a beloved child star on “Little House on the Prairie” to evolving into a multi-talented artist, her life has been, and still is, quite remarkable.
Facing financial challenges and costly medical treatments, Melissa Gilbert continued to push forward and cope with the entertainment industry. Despite not having a steady source of income, she’s still making money. So, how much is Melissa Gilbert net worth?
Overall, Melissa has an estimated net worth of around $500,000. Her earnings come from her early success on TV and her ongoing work in directing and producing. Her books have also added to her income.
Whether you loved her as Laura Ingalls or enjoyed reading her memoir, Melissa Gilbert remains an inspirational icon.